Opinions on Bug Repellents

When my kids go to camp that is in the woods, we go for the full on high-DEET content spray like Deep Woods Off. A little chemical contact is a lot less of a concern than debilitating tick-borne illnesses.

Jill is right -- tickborne diseases are debilitating, even deadly. Lyme is not something to mess with; it's a serious illness, and ticks carry other diseases too. When my daughter and I do summer camp together (I'm a staffer) we use the real deal - DEET on skin. For clothing and the exteriors of sleeping bags, you can get sprays containing permethrin, which repels ticks and other bugs from fabrics (not for skin, though). Citronella, Skin So Soft etc. -- good for a night cookout in the neighborhood, not good for being in the woods all day and night. I do get the idea of wanting chemical-free stuff but frankly the chemical exposure is not that lengthy -- it's a week or two, not every day all summer -- and the results of a tick bite can be way too grave to risk it. Lyme is on the increase, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever is nasty too.

The only bug repellent scientifically proven to be both effective and safe is DEET. Opinions don't matter, science does. Lymes disease, West Nile Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are real and dangerous. DEET works.

I understand your concern about using toxic pesticides on your son, but the ramifications of a tick-borne or mosquito-borne illness are much more serious.

Lyme disease and others, if not caught quickly, can leave very debilitating and long lasting injuries.

Don't take the chance. Use something proven, with DEET.

I remember using something with DEET in it when we were out hiking one time.... we were in an area that was THICK with mosquitoes...... it was amazing... they hovered over us, but did not even attempt to land on us!

I was convinced that DEET was worth it.

I tend to buy non-toxic any time I can. And my kids use a non-toxic bug repellent (essential oils, catnip is great) for outdoor activities. But for summer camp, in the woods with ticks prevalent, I go for DEET products. Use of the strong pesticides in moderation is better than the diseases.

badger balm and burt's bees both have non-toxic children's bug repellents. of course, they're not as effective as deep woods off, but like you, i tend to be a little hinky about strong pesticides on kids.
all summer long i keep a dryer sheet tucked into the band of my straw gardening hat. but then, i'm a wacky old lady and don't mind looking the part.
:) khairete
S.

I have no problem using Off or Cutter and would probable buy Deep Woods Off if my child were going to summer camp. I'm assuming those are one you want to avoid.

As weird as it sound I've had a lot of success with Avon's "Skin So Soft" baby oil. Buy a small spray brittle (8 oz or smaller) and fill it with hale oil and hale water. You have to shake it every time (obviously, as oil and water don't mix) before you spray. You also usually have to spray it in and them spread it around your skin with your hands.

But it really does work as an insect repellant.

I agree with Mom B. The ramifications of Lyme, EEE, West Nile and other problems are huge. Even with repellents, you still have to check regularly for ticks. I work a lot with people who have contracted Lyme disease and it definitely has an impact on people with compromised immune systems (which is most of the population, actually). Even the people whose immune systems have been strengthened beforehand can still be affected by Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses. I have a friend who got Babesiosis and Erlichiosis, for example, from a tick bite.

Now that doesn't mean we don't go camping and hiking. Those bites can occur on the back porch or in the back yard. The use of DEET is pretty well documented as the best way to prevent mosquito bites, as well as avoidance techniques such as staying in or covering up at mosquitoes' most active time. The other key is re-application in a timely manner, as well as using more on still days (mosquitoes are weak flyers and don't do well on windy days).

I would ignore advice to use things like Avon's Skin So Soft - even Avon doesn't claim that it's a bug repellent (maybe for 20 minutes until the smell dissipates) - I'm sure it's fine for its intended purpose. But these home remedies are unproven for bug repellent.

Topical salves are fine for the bites (whether hydrocortisone creams or home remedies like baking soda and corn starch pastes, if they work), but the real risk is of the insect-borne illnesses. In general, I think kids do better with a pump spray or wipes/lotions rather than aerosol sprays which can be inhaled. The pump spray, like the lotions, can be put on the hands and applied to areas near the eyes, nose and mouth. Depending on his age, he may need help from the counselor. When my son went to overnight camp, the kids helped each other with sunscreen and bug repellent, taking turns doing the back, the back of the legs, the neck and so on.

Avon brand two in one sunblock & bug repellant; doesn't have too many weird chemicals in it.
Good Luck
P

Hi!

There are really only three 100% non-toxic bug sprays that I know of:
1) California Baby (already mentioned)
2) Buggle (http://www.buggleblue.com)
3) Ava Anderson (https://extranet.securefreedom.com/Ava/Shopping/ShoppingC...)

We use Buggle all summer long in Maine and it's great, but if we're going to hiking deep woods, we use 30% deet. Ava is supposed to be good too.

Hope you find what you're looking for and something that works!

Essential Oils has a citronella. Works great!

California Baby makes one that is all natural (it is made from plants), it smells great and works very well. I usually find it at Target in the baby section.

If you cant find that one check the camping section for one that is "Deet- Free".